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“Decorum in the house, decorum in the house,” was probably the most common phrase we heard as 700
excited students started the Junior Model United Nations conference in Istanbul in December 2015. With
our students representing such diverse countries as China,
Switzerland, Italy and Afghanistan, they had put in a lot of
work to develop knowledge of their country and their
position in each individual conference. Our students learnt
to debate, discuss and most importantly to compromise in
order to prepare UN style resolutions.
Equally important was the opportunity to make new
friends and learn from students from other schools and
countries, with the Saturday night party being an
opportunity for Woosang Kim to showcase his dance
moves.
Outside of the conference we visited sites such as the
Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Market and
the Hagia Sophia. We took a boat trip along the Bosporus,
stopping in Asia for a brief visit.
JMUN – 2015 TURKEY
Students sampled vast amounts of Turkish food
including a variety of meze, kebabs and kofte but
baklava and Turkish Delight were the favourites.
This was a rewarding trip both academically and socially,
and all students look set to continue with their MUN
careers. Thanks to Helen Barton for her help in
organising the conference
Kevin Huntley
UGANDA MODEL UNITED NATIONS
The Second Session of the ISU hosted Uganda Model United Nations Conference was held at DSW Bonita
Training Centre , Lubowa on the 7th – 8th of December 2015. The conference which focused on the theme
“Social Development and Equality”, was attended by students from schools around Kampala including Aga
Khan, Taibah, Kabojja, Word of Life, Gayaza, The Cornerstone Leadership Academies and Kings College
Buddo. The guest of honour at the opening ceremony of the event was Hon. Sam Kuteesa the
outgoing Secretary General of the UN General Assembly. He addressed the main theme of the conference
in his opening speech. During the conference, ISU students demonstrated open‐mindedness,
responsibility, resourcefulness, respect, hospitality and dedication as they performed their duties and
interacted with students from the other schools. Their actions were truly commendable and the ISU
teachers who worked with them were impressed. Although raising funds for the conference was initially
a challenge, fundraising efforts proved
successful and the conference was a great
success thanks to the contributions of Airtel
Uganda, the Mutebi Family, local businesses
who donated prizes for the raffle, and all the
ISU families who purchased raffle tickets and
made cash donations. We look forward to
hosting the Third Session of the Uganda Model
United Nations Conference on the 15th and 16th
of October 2016
MIDDLE YEARS PROGRAMME UPDATE
The start of this semester has seen Grade 10 students begin the units that will be assessed for the
ePortfolio. Subjects including The Arts, Design, Physical and Health Education and Language Acquisition
are all assessed using the ePortfolio system. The teaching and learning will continue through the next
quarter with all assessments being concluded by the beginning of April. Work continues to prepare Grade
10 students for the on‐screen examinations also. On Friday 29th January Grade 10 were off timetable to
receive instruction in the on‐screen examinations. Students worked with the exams and understood how
they could navigate and use the various types of resource and response boxes within the exam. Students
are allowed to keep the exams on their laptops so that they can further work with them up until the exams
in May. The schedule for the exams is given below, please ensure that Grade 10 students are in school
punctually for these exams.
Tuesday 10th May 1‐3pm – Individuals and Societies
Thursday 12th May 1‐3pm – Mathematics
Friday 13th May 8‐11am – English Language and Literature
Thursday 19th May 8‐11am – Integrated Sciences
Friday 20th May 1‐3pm – Interdisciplinary Exam
Whilst each exam is only 2 hours long, 3 hours is set aside at present to help us with timetabling logistics.
It is expected that students will be in school when not in exams and more details on this will follow later
in the academic year.
Grade 10 students are also in the process of writing their academic reports for the Personal Project. This
is the final written task that must be completed. Details of due dates for the report are available on
Managebac. The final element of the Personal Project is the Exhibition which takes place on the 17th
March. Family and friends are encouraged to attend this event to see the student’s work that has taken
place over the last 12 months.
I will be holding a session for the Grade 9 parents explaining the MYP Certificate process and
eAssessments on Tuesday 15th March from 4pm to 5pm. Parents are invited to this session to gain
understanding in how the MYP Certificate is awarded, what eAssessment means and how it effects their
child. I will also be running this session on April 7th during the Parent‐Teacher Conferences from 12:30pm
to 1:30pm. Any parents in Grade 9 or 10 who are still unsure about the MYP Certificate or the
eAssessments are encouraged to attend.
Lastly I would like to pass on the news that I am expecting my second child. I will be on maternity leave
from April 25nd 2016 and will return in the new school year. Lesley Peacock will be running the on‐screen
examinations in my absence however all students will be properly primed before I leave and I will be on
email contact throughout the exam period.
Lucy Allsopp, MYP Coordinator
IB/CIS and MSA COMBINED AUTHORISATION VISIT
We have now had time to review the reports from our joint authorisation visit and overall the findings proved both informative and worthwhile providing guidance for the future development in the Senior School and contributing to the school’s strategic planning.
In summarising the main points outlined in the report, there were no surprises in the outcomes. The IB requested that the Senior School provided more designated collaborative planning time in developing Interdisciplinary units of work between and across subject areas and to integrate Theory of Knowledge to a greater extent within the Diploma subject areas. In all other areas the standards were met.
There were a large number of commendations that included how the school endeavours to foster international mindedness and embed the Learner Profile as an integral part of its culture. The Team also complemented the school on its open communications that promote understanding and respect. In particular reference to the Senior School we were commended on our extensive and purposeful MYP units of work. Our students were complemented for embracing the attributes of IB learners. The use of IT technologies to support teaching and learning was also commended.
All Senior School teachers contributed to the writing of the report and the areas that we identified for further development were supported by the report findings. This included ensuring that the library plays a central role in teaching and learning, continuing with our guidance programme in preparing students for future studies, developing health studies in appropriate subject areas, cementing and furthering Service opportunities, revising the assessment policy and reviewing language options.
This concluded the school’s 5 year review and now action planning can be put in place for the following
10 year visit.
WEEK WITHOUT WALLS
A recent survey was taken to provide feedback to the Senior School, regarding the change of dates required for the annual Week without Walls experience for Grades 6,7,8,9 and 11. There were replies 56 replies from these grades, of which 96% of parents considered the WWW to be a worthwhile experience and 84% of parents wanted WWW to be offered this year in consideration of the time change. Since school will take place outside of the classroom over these days we strongly urge that you plan your holidays accordingly and travelling arrangement are made following the conclusion of the school year. The trips are heavily subsidised by the school, but there will still be a cost incurred from families. Information such as location, itinerary, costs, equipment list, permission forms etc. will be issued once planning begins.
We kindly request that you take notes of the dates below:
Graduation May, Friday 20th Grades 9‐11 Semester 2 Examinations May, 23rd‐June, 1st Reports issued on ManageBac‐June, Friday 10th WWW for Grades 6, 7, 8, 9, 11‐June, Monday 13th‐Thursday, 16th. If Grade 9 (subject to weather) climb Mt Elgon the trip will begin on Friday, 10th and return on Thursday 16th June Grade 10 Work Experience Week June, Monday, 13th‐Thursday, 16th Final day –June, Friday 17th
UNIVERSITY ACCEPTANCES 2015
Over 250 university applications have been sent this year to Universities across the world, with the vast majority being to the UK and the US. Most US universities announce admissions decisions in March or April, but UK applications are assessed on a rolling basis. Of the thirty eight students in Grade 12, thirty two have made applications and twenty four have received at least one university offer. A complete list of offers is shown below.
University Acceptances: Class of 2016 25th January 2016
United States of America
Calvin College
Juniata College
Knox College
Seton Hall University
St. John's University - Manhattan
Campus
Washington College
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
University of Toledo
St Mary’s College of Maryland
University of Pittsburg
Canada
Ryerson University
University of British Columbia (3)
South Africa
Monash
Europe
European Institute of Design - Barcelona
United Kingdom
Aston University
Birkbeck University of London
Birmingham City University
Bournemouth University
Brunel University(2)
Cardiff University
Coventry University (2)
De Montfort University
Durham University (2)
Goldsmiths College, University of London
Kingston University (2)
Liverpool Hope University College
London Metropolitan University
Loughborough University (2)
Manchester Metropolitan University
Newcastle University
Nottingham Trent International University
Nottingham Trent University (2)
Swansea University (2)
University College Birmingham
University College London
University of Birmingham
University of Edinburgh
University of Kent
University of Leicester (2)
University of Liverpool (2)
University of Manchester
University of Portsmouth
University of Salford (2)
University of Sheffield
University of Surrey
University of Warwick
University of Westminster (4)
University of Wolverhampton